Skoda Fabia Brake Seizing

CEEBEE

MEMBER

2006 SKODA FABIA

FWD

MANUAL

27,500 MILES

The front drivers side brake seizes on after about 20 minutes of driving (it doesn't matter what kind of road or the distance travelled) and if you sit for 10 minutes with the engine off it seems to rectify it (and it doesn't happen for the rest of the day?).

My friend is a mechanic and he took a look at it - the master cylinder was leaking, so he replaced that. Still happening.
He thought it might be the slider pin, so that was replaced too. Still happening.
Next to be replaced was the caliper and brake pads. Still happening.
After speaking to a few different people, he replaced the hose too, guess what? Still Happening!

The car is an 06 plate Fabia 1.0 with 27500 miles on the clock. New tyres all round, wheel alignment checked and nothing else apparently wrong with it. There is a slight bit of play in the front drivers wheel (CV joint - but mechanic friend says that it's only very minimal).

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Tuesday, June 7th, 2011 AT 9:49 PM

1 Reply

CARADIODOC

EXPERT

The way to approach this is to open the hydraulic system at various places to see where the trapped fluid releases and where it doesn't. When the brake locks up, crawl underneath and open the bleeder screw on that caliper. If it doesn't release there, the new caliper is sticking. If it does release, the next time it happens, loosen the steel line at the master cylinder. If the brake releases from there, the fluid is not being allowed back into the reservoir. Two common causes of that are something is holding the brakes partially applied or brake fluid contaminated with petroleum product. If the the push rod is adjusted too long or the brake light switch is misadjusted, they will hold the brake pedal down too far. Petroleum product in the brake fluid will cause all rubber parts to swell. The lip seals will grow past the return ports and block them. That includes engine oil, transmission fluid, power steering fluid, or even slight grease residue from your fingers. The clue is the fluid pressure will release right at the master cylinder and the rubber bladder seal under the reservoir cap will be blown up and mushy.